Idris Elba stars as Nelson Mandela in a biopic due to hit theaters later this year. Here’s our first look at Elba as the civil rights icon.

It’s been over a year since we first heard a film based on Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, was going into production. The film shot in South Africa in early summer of last year and stars Elba and Naomie Harris (Skyfall, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest) as Winnie Mandela.

Today, we got our first look at Idris Elba as the former South African president in the newest poster for Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.

Long Walk to Freedom tells Mandela’s life story from his childhood in a South African village to his election as the nation’s first democratically elected president and his triumph over apartheid.

The Weinstein Company acquired North American distribution rights to the film in February alongside the film’s producer, Anant Singh. Singh has had exclusive film rights to Mandela’s autobiography for over 15 years. The South African producer reportedly beat out several U.S. studios for the rights, being approved by Mandela himself.

Justin Chadwick (The Other Boleyn Girl) directed the film from a  screenplay  adapted by William Nicholson (Les Miserable).

The cast is made up of primarily South African actors and was shot entirely on location.

Before production began Singh spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about the importance of shooting the production in South Africa, saying,  “It will be the largest South African production ever mounted and will provide an opportunity for thousands of South Africans to participate in the making of the film, including the best of South Africa’s acting talent.”

Golden Globe winner Elba has proven to be an incredibly versatile force of nature onscreen, with roles in big budget blockbusters (Thor, Prometheus) and prime-time favorites (The Wire, Luther). We are excited to see what he will do with the task of stepping into the iconic shoes of Nelson Mandela.

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom opens in limited release on Nov. 29, right on time for awards consideration.

Thanks, Hollywood Reporter